Stakeholders Back Bill Requiring Social Media Firms To Open Offices In Nigeria

Stakeholders have expressed support for a bill seeking to compel social media platforms operating in Nigeria to establish physical offices in the country.

They also endorsed a separate bill proposing the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Academy in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

The support was expressed on Thursday during a public hearing organised by the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security on two bills before the Senate.

The first bill, titled A Bill for an Act to Amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, to Mandate the Establishment of Physical Offices within the Territorial Boundaries of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by Social Media Platforms, and for Other Related Matters, 2025 (SB. 650), is sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (APC, Delta North).

The second bill, sponsored by Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South), seeks to establish an Artificial Intelligence Academy in Omuo-Ekiti.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu (APC, Ogun Central), said the social media bill was aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, while the AI Academy bill would create a centre of excellence for AI education and research.

Declaring the hearing open, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Lola Ashiru (APC, Kwara South), described both bills as forward-looking legislative proposals that reflected the Senate’s commitment to strengthening governance and technological development.

Akpabio said the proposed requirement for social media companies to establish offices in Nigeria was not intended to stifle their operations but to improve engagement with regulators and users.

Speaking at the hearing, Senator Nwoko said the bill was neither hostile to innovation nor designed to discourage investment.

“This Bill is not punitive. It seeks to deepen the engagement of global technology companies with Nigeria by encouraging them to become responsible corporate citizens,” he said.

According to him, countries including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Singapore, India, Brazil, South Africa and Japan have attracted investments from major technology firms through local operations that generate jobs, improve regulatory compliance and encourage technology transfer.

He argued that, as Africa’s largest digital market, Nigeria should enjoy similar benefits.

Nwoko said the proposed legislation would require social media platforms, data controllers and data processors operating in Nigeria to maintain functional offices within the country.

He added that local offices would strengthen national security by providing direct channels of engagement between technology companies and Nigerian authorities, improve enforcement of data protection laws, enhance consumer protection, increase tax compliance and create employment opportunities for Nigerians.

The senator also said the bill would promote technology transfer through collaboration between multinational technology firms and Nigerian professionals, startups and educational institutions.

He maintained that the legislation was intended to ensure accountability and align Nigeria with global best practices.

Nwoko recalled that the bill, which passed second reading in March, was introduced in response to the absence of physical offices of major social media companies, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, X, YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat, despite their extensive operations and user base in Nigeria.

He noted that the bill also proposes measures to improve accountability in Nigeria’s digital media space, including provisions affecting bloggers operating in the country.

According to him, the legislation seeks to promote professionalism, transparency and responsible digital engagement while ensuring that multinational technology companies contribute more directly to Nigeria’s economy and regulatory framework.